What if we could use the vassal system to reflect a rise or decline in a king's authority?
Status quo:
Currently the vassal system is based on the diplomacy of the ruler, the rank of his title and laws.
As for consequences, if you over your vassal limit there some vassals may become independent on succession and you suffer reductions in the amount of men you can raise or in the amount of money you receive from your vassals.
The implication of the current system is that it depends on the technical ability of the kingdom to raise vassals independent of the actions of the lord or how his vassals view him.
Proposed changed
Make vassal limit a decimal number that can tick up and down.
- How to increase/lose vassal limit:
But what if the vassal limit was actually a reflection of the authority of the current prince, something that his actions and personality had a more direct influence over.
The default vassal limit could be affected by government type. Tribal realms could start with a vassal size of one, nomadic realms could start with a vassal size representing most of their clan numbers and their ability of both to tick up authority could be slower. Feudal realms/Imperial realms would have the highest vassal limits.
Laws and technology would still affect vassal limit. A firm hand does also. Plots must be suppressed, especially if they're against the king of the royal family. Failure to imprison murderers within the kingdom impact on vassal limit. Torture or harsh punishment increase vassal limit. Protecting your vassals from raiders or enemies do the same perhaps by linking vassal limit to prestige.
Vassal limit should still be tied to ranks and possession of titles. More titles = higher vassal limit. However, newly created/usurped titles do not add to vassal limit, but they tick up over time (a few generations to achieve full potential). This would reflect the reluctance of vassals to recognise new titles. Titles that switch dynasty may also suffer from a penalty to vassal limit in the same way legitimacy reduces in EUIV when dynasties change.
Events
= consequences of vassal limit.
Those vassals above the limit (i.e. outside the limit of the king's physical) authority, would behave like tribal vassals. Both tax and levies would be decided by the diplomacy screen which they can refuse with impunity. These vassals can also secede on the death of the current king. Which vassals are outside the king's physical would be decided by strength of the vassal and their lands distance from the capital.
Thoughts?
Status quo:
Currently the vassal system is based on the diplomacy of the ruler, the rank of his title and laws.
As for consequences, if you over your vassal limit there some vassals may become independent on succession and you suffer reductions in the amount of men you can raise or in the amount of money you receive from your vassals.
The implication of the current system is that it depends on the technical ability of the kingdom to raise vassals independent of the actions of the lord or how his vassals view him.
Proposed changed
Make vassal limit a decimal number that can tick up and down.
- How to increase/lose vassal limit:
But what if the vassal limit was actually a reflection of the authority of the current prince, something that his actions and personality had a more direct influence over.
The default vassal limit could be affected by government type. Tribal realms could start with a vassal size of one, nomadic realms could start with a vassal size representing most of their clan numbers and their ability of both to tick up authority could be slower. Feudal realms/Imperial realms would have the highest vassal limits.
Laws and technology would still affect vassal limit. A firm hand does also. Plots must be suppressed, especially if they're against the king of the royal family. Failure to imprison murderers within the kingdom impact on vassal limit. Torture or harsh punishment increase vassal limit. Protecting your vassals from raiders or enemies do the same perhaps by linking vassal limit to prestige.
Vassal limit should still be tied to ranks and possession of titles. More titles = higher vassal limit. However, newly created/usurped titles do not add to vassal limit, but they tick up over time (a few generations to achieve full potential). This would reflect the reluctance of vassals to recognise new titles. Titles that switch dynasty may also suffer from a penalty to vassal limit in the same way legitimacy reduces in EUIV when dynasties change.
Events
= consequences of vassal limit.
Those vassals above the limit (i.e. outside the limit of the king's physical) authority, would behave like tribal vassals. Both tax and levies would be decided by the diplomacy screen which they can refuse with impunity. These vassals can also secede on the death of the current king. Which vassals are outside the king's physical would be decided by strength of the vassal and their lands distance from the capital.
Thoughts?
Last edited:
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